Sisters Network Greensboro NC, Inc.

Grant Proposal

By: Krishnaveni Balakrishnan, Tasha Becton,

Kimani Burney, Tayla Ford, Chris Jacobs

MPH PHE Program: HEA 645

Professor Christina Yongue
Cover Letter
Dear Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro: Women to Women,
Sisters Network, Inc. is a national organization “committed to increasing local and
national attention to the devastating impact that breast cancer has in the African American
community.” The local chapter in Greensboro, NC (Sisters Network Greensboro NC, Inc.) has a
desire to increase education surrounding the impact of breast cancer on individual members’
wellness, by developing and implementing a breast cancer education/lunch and learn series
about the impact of breast cancer on the body, mind, and spirit of the African American woman.
Sisters Network Greensboro NC, Inc. is seeking financial support in the amount of
$25,000 to fund the workshop series and to hire a graphic designer to update the resource
guide currently being provided. This educational series will also serve as an opportunity for
participants to develop their network of recovery peers and learn about medical resources and
other sources of support during the treatment and recovery period: “The strength and spirituality
of African American women may facilitate cancer adjustment, but cultural taboos surrounding
women’s health issues may interfere with successful coping” (Lewis et. al. 2012, p. 1). Building
a support network aligns with the collectivist culture of the African-American community and
aids in increasing awareness of the prevalence/incidence of breast cancer in the community and
reduces the stigma associated with help-seeking behaviors.
African-American women with breast cancer have less than optimal health outcomes.
This is often related to problems associated with access to health care, health beliefs, and
cultural beliefs. With your financial support, we believe Sisters Network Greensboro NC, Inc.
can successfully implement the lunch and learn series and improve the health outcomes for
African-American women in our community. Additionally, the program will serve to increase
morale among African-American women as they seek to improve their survivorship following
diagnosis with this devastating disease.
The community contact person for Sisters Network Greensboro NC, Inc. is Mrs. Nora
Jones. She is the best person prepared to supervise the implementation of the ideas presented
in this grant proposal. Mrs. Jones is a survivor herself, and the President of the organization.
She is passionate about addressing the breast cancer survivorship crisis affecting African
American women, and has experienced much of what will be discussed during the lunch and
learn series. She has gained the trust of her constituents and will work diligently to ensure the
ideas presented in this proposal are enacted successfully.

Description of the community

Sisters Network, Inc. is a national organization “committed to increasing local and
national attention to the devastating impact that breast cancer has in the African American
community.” The local chapter in Greensboro, NC has a desire to increase education
surrounding the impact of breast cancer on individual members’ wellness, as well as to increase
overall understanding of the impact of breast cancer on the African-American Woman and her
family. An intervention must be created to counteract current cultural and medical beliefs
surrounding breast cancer diagnosis, as well as patient-physician dynamics. Sisters Network
Greensboro, NC, Inc. would like to develop and implement a lunch and learn series where
women who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer can receive education and develop their
support network. In addition to learning about the impact of the disease and developing a
network of recovering peers, a key takeaway will be an awareness of resources and other
sources of support during the treatment and recovery period. Members of the organization will
be given a resource book that details and outlines all of these. Sisters Network Greensboro, NC,
Inc. is requesting assistance with the grant writing process as they seek funding to develop and
implement the project in hopes of changing the cultural and medical beliefs surrounding breast
cancer diagnosis in African American women.

Declaration of the problem/needs

statement
Sisters Network is a national organization “committed to increasing local and national
attention to the devastating impact that breast cancer has in the African American community.”
The local chapter in Greensboro, NC has a desire to increase education surrounding the impact
of breast cancer on individual members’ wellness, in addition to developing overall
understanding of the impact of breast cancer on the African-American Woman and her family.
Gullatte et. al. (2010) stated: “African American women are more likely than any other racial or
ethnic group to present with a later stage of breast cancer at initial diagnosis. Delay in breast
cancer detection is a critical factor in diagnosis at a later stage (p. 62).” In addition, there are
documented disparities in the treatment modality for black women, compared to white women
(Sail, Franzini, Lairson, & Du, 2012). The combination of these factors may contribute to lower
survival rates for African American women. The American Cancer Society reported that white
women are more likely to develop breast cancer than African-American women,but there is a
greater prevalence of breast cancer in African-American women under age 45 than white
women in the same age group. African-American women of any age are more likely to die from
breast cancer than their peers. Compounding factors are the health and cultural beliefs of
African American women and their concomitant hesitation to accept the realities of a breast
cancer diagnosis. An intervention must be developed to counteract the cultural and medical
beliefs of black women surrounding breast cancer diagnosis, as well as patient-physician
dynamics when it comes to treatment and care for them.
Nationally, Sisters Network, Inc. promotes their “Pink Ribbon Awareness Campaign” that
performs outreach to women in churches to disseminate information on breast cancer services
and resources. Their goal in this initiative is to increase the number of “women obtaining
mammograms and to heighten general knowledge”. Sisters Network Greensboro, NC, Inc., on the
other hand, would like to take things a step further and develop, and implement, a lunch and
learn series where women who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer can develop their
support networks, and receive education on topics such as: initial breast-cancer diagnosis, self-
advocacy, post-treatment care, second opinions and survivorship, all while fellowshipping over a
meal.
In addition to learning about the impact of the disease and developing a network of
recovering peers, a key takeaway will be an awareness of resources and other sources of
support during the treatment and recovery period. Participants in the lunch and learn series will
receive a resource book that contains contact information for support agencies and groups in
the local area. It is imperative that women of color are given this opportunity to broaden their
knowledge about breast cancer treatment and care, as well as receive constant encouragement
to continue their fights: “The strength and spirituality of African American women may facilitate
cancer adjustment, but cultural taboos surrounding women’s health issues may interfere with
successful coping” (Lewis et. al. 2012, p. 1). The main goal of this program’s development is
reducing health disparities for African American women in this geographical area. Sisters
Network Greensboro, NC, Inc. is requesting assistance with the grant writing process as they
seek funding to develop and implement the project in hopes of changing the cultural and
medical beliefs surrounding breast cancer diagnosis for women of color.
Project description
Implementation Plan
Broad non-measurable goal(s)
● To eliminate racial health disparities among African American breast cancer
patients.
● To enhance the number of African American women who come informed to their
medical visits.
3 measurable objectives
1. To present at least one ‘Lunch and Learn Series’ events per quarter once funds are
dispersed by the funding organization.
● During the funding period, Sisters Network Greensboro NC, Inc. will coordinate at
least one lunch and learn event per quarter.
● As part of the lunch and learn event, participants will meet and communicate with
newly diagnosed women as well as women in longer-term recovery/survivorship
from breast cancer

2. To provide education to at least 75 African American women about breast cancer

treatment and care. This can be measured by assessment of knowledge before and after
the lunch and learn workshops individually as well as the series as a whole by the end of
the funding period.
● Sisters Network Greensboro, NC, Inc. will continue to complete “community block walks”
during the funding period to engage women in the community and increase their
awareness of the impact of breast cancer on Black/African-American women. Females
in the household will receive education about completing breast self-exams and the
importance of receiving regular mammograms.
● Sisters Network Greensboro NC, Inc. will advertise the lunch and learn series by
distributing advertising materials in medical offices, neighborhoods, and community
groups in order to increase community awareness of the program. A primary goal is
reaching women who might not have otherwise considered the possibility of a breast
cancer diagnosis.
● Lunch and Learn Educational Content: patient advocacy/letter writing; seeking a second
opinion; chemo-brain; spirituality and the cancer patient; self-care; healthy coping;
sexual health during cancer treatment; mental health during cancer treatment; physical
health and exercise during cancer treatment; body image during and after cancer
treatment; financial health; financial support; self-advocacy for care needs; breast cancer
and the family; parenting and pregnancy following a breast cancer diagnosis; breast
cancer and the African-American community, public speaking for prevention advocacy
and other topics.
● Sisters Network Greensboro NC, Inc. by way of the funding process, will provide free
basic education about breast cancer and specific education about the impact of breast
cancer on black women by implementing the lunch and learn series.
● As part of the lunch and learn event, participants will receive a meal and training about a
specific area related to breast cancer care.
3. To update the current resource guide utilized by Sister’s Network Greensboro NC, Inc.
print at least 500 copies, and distribute them to women newly diagnosed with breast
cancer.
● Sisters Network Greensboro NC, Inc. will hire a local practitioner or public health
professional to identify viable local resources.
● Sisters Network Greensboro NC, Inc. will hire a graphic designer or graphic
design intern to update the brochure in an aesthetically pleasing manner utilizing
the resources identified above.
● Sisters Network Greensboro NC, Inc. will seek contractors for printing the
publication and choose the most efficient printing source.

This idea would be an innovative idea because Lunch and Learn series are feasible and
effective. The Lunch and Learn series will focus on raising awareness on the importance of self
care, and breast health, for women 18 years and older. Any awarded grant monies will aid in
funding the Lunch and Learn series, as well as resource books, that will provide these women
with easy access to a means of navigating the healthcare continuum. While not exactly the
same, Schim and Scher examined the success of a worksite lunch and learn series and stated:
“Health education program outcomes and the lessons learned from the processes indicated the
collaboration should continue and be expanded...The opportunities and challenges observed in
this collaborative teaching project have been carried forward into new collaborations” (2002, p.
541). The series will be necessary in bringing other thoughts and issues forward and will provide
a base for its expansion in future years. This implementation plan provides a concrete
breakdown of cost estimates for future tracking and evaluation.

Evaluation plan
Expected Outcomes of the Evaluation & Type of Evidence Needed
The purpose of this evaluation is to examine and measure program effects of the Sisters
Network Greensboro NC, Inc. The organization aims to emphasize the impact that breast
cancer has on African Americans on a local and national level. By assessing program activities,
characteristics, and progress of outcomes and outcome objectives , effectiveness of Sisters
Network Greensboro NC, Inc. in achieving its ultimate goals can be determined. Other purposes
of this evaluation include providing useful information for program improvement, assistance in
making future program decisions, and involvement of funders and other stakeholders.
Specifically, the local chapter in Greensboro, North Carolina has a desire to increase education
surrounding the impact of breast cancer on individual members’ wellness, in addition to
developing overall understanding of the impact of breast cancer on the African-American
Woman and her family.
The evaluation will address the following key outcome questions and indicators:

Description of the Data Collection Plan

The data collection plan will include gathering information about the effectiveness of the
program. Indicators include: Number of participants, demographics of the group, number of
Lunch and Learn workshops, and participant awareness prior to the program, as well as after
the program. Data collection for the first indicator will be gathered by providing check-in sheets
at each Lunch and Learn workshop. A participant survey will be used for all other indicators.
Data analysis will be conducted by an individual, such as an MPH intern or graduate,
who has experience working with this type of task. They must report on their progress, monthly,
at the Sisters Network meeting. The timeline for this task will begin in February 2018 end
February 2019. Potential funding will serve to provide necessary materials for data collection,
data analysis, and data storage.

Identification of data analysis and reporting procedures

The results of this evaluation will be analyzed utilizing participant surveys. These
surveys will be disseminated and collected both before and after program completion. The
pretest will be done before the program, and a posttest will be done 3 months following the
completion of the program. They will outline the same/similar questions to test participants
knowledge on whatever topics are covered during the Lunch and Learn series. This process will
continue for a year, with the goal of having at least 80% of the participants increase their
knowledge.
Data analysis will be conducted by an MPH intern or graduate, or a professional who
has been formally trained in the field and has experience within each of the seven public health
competencies. They will report to a chosen member of the Sisters Network Greensboro NC, Inc.
Executive Committee who will supervise and oversee these efforts.
Budget & Budget Justification
Sisters Network – Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro: Women to Women Grant

BUDGET JUSTIFICATION

A. PERSONNEL
TBA Principal Evaluators: Honorarium ($1000)
Graduate students from a program evaluation course will be hired to carry out the evaluation of
the grant project, and analyze 1. They will be responsible for collecting and sorting data and
working with the Sisters Network Greensboro Team to prepare reports.

TBA Public Health Intern of GA or other Staff: Stipend ($2000)

This individual will coordinate the lunch and learn program. They will work with other
administrative and program stuff to secure additional sponsorship and funding as well as collect
data for program evaluation. This individual will coordinate the day-to-day and on-site
management of the Lunch and Learn program. The individual will identify topics and speakers
for the lunch and learn series.

TBA Graphic Design Contractor/Intern: Stipend/Honorarium ($1000)

This person will utilize logos and information acquired by other program staff to design a
resource guide.

TBA Business/Marketing Intern: Stipend ($1250)

This individual will identify local providers of services for breast cancer survivors. They will work
with providers to secure logos and contact information for the resource guide. This person will
also carry out marketing activities for the lunch and learns and assist with administrative duties
at each presentation.

TBA Sisters Network Greensboro, Inc. Staff ($1250)

This individual will serve as the hiring manager for project staff and supervise their work over
the course of the project.

B. LUNCH & LEARN

Presenters (4 x $250 = $1000)
Presenters will be identified by interns program staff. Presenters will be paid an honorarium for
their service.

Lunch/Giveaways (4 lunch and learns x 75 participants x $20 per person = $7000)

Lunch will be provided for participants. Though participants will be asked to make donations to
Sisters Network or to “pay what they can,” this is primarily offered as a free event. This portion
of the budget is to ensure ability to provide lunch for up to 75 participants.

Transportation Vouchers ($1000)

This is to defer the cost of attendance for participants. Vouchers and transportation assistance
will be provided on a limited basis for participants who demonstrate financial hardship or need.

Advertisements/Printing ($6500)
This includes advertising costs for radio, television, newspaper and/or other print or media
materials. This also includes the cost of printing handouts and resource guides.

$1000 for advertisements

$100 presenter handouts
$5000 for resource guides
$400 for continuing education/participation certificates

Continuing Education (Provider Fees - $1000)

This is to account for the cost of being a continuing education provider for medical staff who
may attend and (listed above) printing certificates of attendance for all.

Facility Fees (4 events x $250 = $1000)

This is the cost of room rental, tables, and chairs for the lunch and learn.

C. SISTERS NETWORK GREENSBORO NC, INC.

Overhead ($1000)
This includes deferred costs such as electricity, office space, copier/toner, and using the
organization accountant/controller ($500) for project accounting
Evaluation Timeline